Red Tide Report (Update)

Posted by on Tuesday Sep 4, 2018 9:30 am

 Red Tide Status Update for August 31, 2018

Current Conditions
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida and continues to extend from Pinellas to Collier counties along ~145 miles of coastline. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred offshore of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for the first time this week, and continued in areas of Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. Relative to last week, multiple locations in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Collier counties showed decreased cell concentrations, and no “high” concentrations were observed in Manatee County. Surface currents over the past several days are likely playing a role in transporting cells of K. brevisto the northwest, and are expected to continue based on short-term forecasts. An aerial survey conducted last week and vessel-based surveys this week indicated the presence of offshore blooms of the marine cyanobacterium, Trichodesmium. More specific details are provided below.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas County, low to high concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, and very low to high concentrations in or offshore of Collier County. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report  and map . 
  
  
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Gulf County and one sample collected offshore of Pasco County. For additional information, view the Northwest Coast report  and map .
  
  
• Samples collected along the east coast of Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis. For additional information, view the East Coast report  and map .

Fish Kills
Over the past week, reports were received for multiple locations in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.

Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report . 

Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net northwestern movement of surface waters in most areas and net southeastern transport of subsurface waters over the next three days.

Red Tide Status Map (August 31, 2018)

View a larger map  (August 31, 2018)

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for August 31, 2018. 

By using Google Earth, you can zoom in to specific locations and click on stations to see detailed information, including sample date and cell concentration. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to view this map; the software can be downloaded from the Google Earth website. 

Latest Red Tide Status Report Available by Phone
Call 866-300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Callers outside of Florida can dial 727-552-2448. Standard calling charges apply.

Reports are updated on Friday afternoon except during holidays, in which case the report will be released on the closest day. Additional information, if available, is provided on Wednesday afternoon. To receive an e-mail when the current status has been updated, visit our subscription area.

Additional Information
For additional information about red tide and the current red tide bloom, including information on how to report a fish kill or other wildlife effects, consult health authorities about human exposure, or locate other resources, visit our Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources article.

Blue-Green Algae Bloom Information

Additional information regarding the current status of algal blooms in South Florida is being consolidated and posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website: https://floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom.

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